Ladle tipping mechanism



March 8, 1949. I E. F. SQHULZE 2,463,811

LADLE' II'IPIPING nmcmrsm Filed Dec. 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. [I EDMUND F. SCHULZE A TTORNE YS March 8, 1949. I SCHULZE 2,463,811

LADLE TIPPING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDMUND F. SCHULZE A TTORNEYS and fissures in the castings.

Patented Mar. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LADLE TIPPING MECHANISM Edmund F. Schulze, Omaha, Nebr.

Application December 12, 1947, Serial No. 791,188

6 Claims. (Cl. 22-82) This invention relates to mechanism for controllably tilting ladles used in foundry furnaces and the like where molten metal is poured into molds.

Several types of ladle tilting mechanisms are utilized at the present time employing gear driving mechanism or windlasses or hooks for appl ing power to tilt the 1adle in the desired manner for pouring. With such mechanisms as are known to applicant, the tilting of the ladle during pour ing is accompanied with jerkiness and lack of uniformity. Such jerkiness becomes accentuated after wear and long use of the tilting mechanism.

In the making of excellent castings, the uniform control of the flow of metal from the crupoint of pouring.

Another object of my invention is the provi sion of ladle tilting mechanism designed to be entirely supported from a traveling crane or the like and further adapted to be readily installed and applied to conventional types of ladles now in commercial use.

oible to the mold is essential to prevent pockets overcomes the objectionable features of It is a more specific object to provide ladle tilt- A ing mechanism of the class described wherein smooth and uniform hydraulic power is applied through finger control of an operator and the medium of efficient lever connections'with the ladle to eliminate jerkiness and unsteady po"ur-.

ing which are prevalent in mechanisms of-the prior art. 7 Another object is the provision of a power- .actuated bellcrank lever mechanism for controllably tilting foundry ladles wherein points of -fulcruming and connection with power source and with the ladle are positioned-toinsure atw-all times, positive and uniform control in tilting as well as utilization of power with accurate and sensitively controlled efi'ect.

A still further object is the provision of ladle tilting mechanism of the class described which combines compact hydraulic system, a ladle support and operating mechanism, allcompactly embodied in an integral unit which may be readily utilized with overhead cranes and conventional ladles in commercial use.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing an embodiment of my invention applied to a conventional foundry ladle and supported from the hook of the traveling crane with the ladle disposed in horizontal or upstanding position;

Fig. 2 is .a top plan View of the same with portions of the base-supporting cables broken away; and

Fig. 3 is avertical section taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 2 showing the ladle in almost full tipped position.

My improved mechanism, in its preferred form as shown, includes a large generally rectangular lbase orsupporting platform 5 which may be conveniently constructed from a thick, suitable metal having as shown upstanding, heavy attachment lugs 5a extending upwardly from the corners thereof for connection with supporting media (preferably flexible) such as cables 6 which con- ,verge upwardl at a point centrally above base 5 and as shown are connected with a heavy ring 1. adapted to be connected with a depending supv porting hook 8 such as is furnished by a traveling crane structure.

Base or platform 5, as shown, is provided centrally with a depending heavy supporting hook 9'whi ch is adapted to engage and support the usually notched, upper portion of the bail Ella ."of "a conventional ladle ll] of the type used in foundries or in pouring furnaces for holding and distributing molten metals into molds. The bail .llla at its lower ends has the usual smooth trunnionslllb for connection with suitable bearings fin'the central 'portio'nof the peripheral wall of 3 ladle. The said ladle-supporting hook 9 may fbejsli'ghtly biased to one side of the center of fgrayity of base. 5 for most efiicient balancing of .a' hydraulic operating system mounted on the top'of the base or platform 5.

. i'flever ll pivoted on a fulcrum pin l2 between a My tilting mechanism includes a bell crank pair of heavy upstanding fulcrum lugs 13 which are rigidly aff xed to the top and central por- 'tion of plate v5. noted that the fulcrum pin 12 is vertically aligned I withthebail Illa of the ladle, this being deter- In this connection, it will be mined by the relative positioning of the fulcrum pin with respect to depending supporting hoolgB. Bell crank lever ll, fulcruming on a horizontal axis parallel with the axis of the ladle trunniofns Iflb, has an elongated arm I I a which. we ghs through an elongated slot 5b formed through the base 5, said arm Ila in the normal unt led position of the ladle, extending rearwardly nd outwardly from the. lever. fulcrum .anditermina ing at a point disposed outwardiytahda sliprt distance above the rear of the upper edge of ladle Ill for pivotal connection by a pivot pin l4 tvithi the outer and upper end of a dependingli. I which is shown as slightly longer thanth till height of ladle Ill and is pivotally, connectedtatl 115i its lower end with a heavy pouring lug lfi'rigidly. affixed to the lower portion-of'la'dlelU at-its rear side and fixed directly opposite from the pointedi spout Inc of the ladle. The axis of the pivot" l4, connecting the long arm of ,the bell era with link I5, is preferably disposed in:.a,n nary line extending in arverticalplanedi cally bisecting the ladle, such line vextendi stantially at 45 tortheplanedefinedby th per edge of the ladle. Bell. crank. leverll' rigldly carries a short power-receivingarm; lib; which extends preferably at anangle somewhat1 less than 90 to the longer arm llabeing dispo'sed With the ladle in. norma1 untilted position, as shown in Fig. 1. While a wide variety of hydraulicipowei systems may be utilized withmy invention mo nteii upon the base or. supDp'rtingfoundationI5 fer to employ in. thesyste'm utilized. asu tan-,- tially horizontal hydraulic. cylinder, I'L p mounted at its outer end between a pair ofheavy, upstanding, mounting brackets I 8 and, having slidably mounted,'.therein, a suitable piston. l9 fixed to the end of an,elongatedpistonriiod"19b.

which extends through afsuitablepacking gland 1% on the rear end of cylinder [1' and, is con-.- nected by pivot pin 2.0 withthe.Outer-fihdbfth short arm Nb of the bell cranktlevern Theyaxi's of the pivot for amounting. the forward. enmicylinder l'l isdisposed parallelwi'th the fulcrum axis of lever llandthe pistonrod. l9d, lies 'subistantially in a common plane with bell; crank lever II.

My hydraulic system. is suchthatiiiiid underfinger control of. an operator, may be, forced through cylinder supply conduits, 2i, and 2 against either the outer endorinn'er, endlo'fjt-he piston I9. As shown, my hydraulic.sy'stem.'c.omprises a hydraulic pumpP driven by.a.. -inotor., M rigidly affixed to theba'se. 5; saia;pump.- having its discharge. connected, by conduit, 2.3 1Withb fluid reservoir R and-having alsowbrancb connection with a conduit 24 whichis. medially connected .to a selector valve mechanism.-, S..molmted on base 5,adja,c'ent the'cylinder, IL ,Th elector valve .casinghas antoverfiow-conduiti'z twl'fifihiis connected in thesystem;toranaaccumulator-tank: Awhich, in ,turnispconnected; withtth returnpf thesystem through .a conduit 261havi nication, as doesgsupplyconduit 2.4. wit 5' valve. V; Relief valve V. is. in .turnconnectedj-fir recirculation by a conduit?! with theihtake-Of pump P.

The selector valve, mechanism. S. includes.v a valve system (not shown) of, conventionaltype wherein passage of, fluid ,u'nde-r. pressuratnrough conduit 2| to the outer. endo'f cylinder I]; with return of fluid .through conduit 22, maybe accomplished or where reverse flow ofjfluidxioiilfetliacb ing the piston l9 may be accomplished or where fluid may be locked in both of the communicating conduits 2| and 22. This valve system is subject to immediate and sensitive control by any suitable conventional means such as a solenoid or electromagnetic core (not shown) or if desired, manually controlled handles may be supplied. In the form of the invention illustrated, an electromagnetic control is shown wherein the wires:- ct conductors for operating the; hydraulic system-.1. in: opposite directions; are housed in a service cable C extending over the top of the base plate 5 to a push button switch X which magbifiilger controlled from a distance of 15 man fest-from the position of the ladle.

Operation Froijnthe drawings and the foregoing descriptionrittwill readily be seen that my entire mechanism, including the lever and linkage mechanism aindrthe:hydraulicsystemare combined as a compact; unit; adapted; to;v readily; be connected with cenventionalioundry ladies; and to be su ported from an-overhead crane, carriage or other adjust,- able'zoverheadsupporting;.structure, Y

Imoperation, invention, which supp rts 1th ladle- I Dis properly-positioned above. amoldii into which moltenmetal is totbe poured and adjusted tethe-propen height. Themechanism when, adjusted .to-position ispositioned as .shownin Fig, ,1 withtheladle,- In. in horizontal ornormal un.-. tilted relation;

'Iotilt the ladle, the. operator standingatza pointiof vantage-some 10., to [20 feet-away from'the ladle, controls the mechanism lay-finger. pressure,

' actuating-{thewproper, button orrother element'to cause hydraulic iiuidto flow through, the; cylinder supply. conduit 2i i against the outer end of piston l9; Bistonmd. I912; is; protracted. steadily, slowly and uniformly applying its power-to the short end llb of the bell cranleleven- Instant release of the control, element locks-theshydraulic. mechanism andleyenmechanism immediately. No jerkiness v isnencountered. since. the connection of thefpiston rod lllazthroughthemedium of thejbell crank lever; and. linkage; with; the ,ladle; is positive and free: from lost motiom, Thegrnature of thdhygd-i 'aul-ic: system with balancing--01;fluid on both sides of the piston eliminates-any; impulse or jerkinessin the hydraulic system itself The lad-leis further. tilted or returnedto normal pouring, position; by; manipulation of the proper element ofthe valve 2 control which may; be in.- stantly and;sensitivelywontrolled by the operator.

The tilting or swinging of the ladle; withmy mechanism-iissalwayssuniformqand may be regulated'i as tospeedi-toz-suit the particular need, according; of: course; to: thELPlBSSUdB upon the hydi'auli'c -,fiuid; and the proportions I of the working parts-10f the:-,-hydr a-ul-ie system.

In gthe==foregoingwdescription, it fwflllbe seenthat Ithaye provided aicompact, simplified and" highly eflicient mechanism adaptedgto be; utilized asa'n attachmentfor eonvehtionar ladiesand" pourin furnaces now in use and eliminating most; ofythe objectionablefeatures from the structures of theprior art:

It' will, o fcourse,- be; understood? that various changes may -=be made in the form, details, ar-

rangementand proportions, of the; parts. without vdenartingfrom the scope of jmyinvention.

Where, herein-"the term hydraulic is. used in the, specification. and; claims,- I that. term contemiilatesinbt, nlit ystems, ndlpgartsgthereofjwhere hydraulic liquid is utilized but systems wherein any fluid (gaseous or liquid) under pressure is employed.

What I claim is:

1. Mechanism for controllably tilting a foundry ladle, comprising an overhead supporting base having means thereon for connection with the hail of a ladle to support the same, a bellcrank lever pivotally connected with said supporting base for fulcruming on a horizontal axis extending parallel to the axis of the trunnions of said ladle, said bellcrank lever having a longer ladleconnection arm extending downwardly and to the rear of said ladle when said ladle is disposed in untipped position and having a shorter, powerreceiving arm angled with respect to said longer arm, a link pivotally connected at its upper end to the outer end of said longer bellcrank arm and pivotally connected at its lower end to the lower portion of said ladle at point on the opposite side thereof relative to the pouring spout of said ladle and instantly controlled power mechanism mounted on said base and including a longitudinally reciprocable rod pivotally connected at its outer end to the outer end of said shorter bellcrank arm.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, said power mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted at its outer end and a fluidactuated piston mounted in said cylinder and connected with said reciprocable rod and a valve system for selectively introducing fluid under pressure, into either end of said cylinder.

3. Mechanism for controllably tilting a foundry ladle comprising an overhead supporting base having means therein for connection with the bail of a ladle to support the same, a bellcrank lever pivotally mounted upon said base for fulcruming on an axis parallel to the tilting axis of said ladle, said lever having a relatively long ladle connection arm working through an aperture in said base and extending downwardly to the rear upper edge of said ladle when said ladle is disposed in untilted position, said lever having a shorter, power-receiving arm extending upwardly above said supporting base, a link pivoted at its upper end to the outer end of said longer bellcrank arm and pivotally connected at its lower end with the lower portion of said ladle at a point disposed on the opposite side of said ladle respective of the pouring spout thereof and instantly controllable power mechanism mounted on said supporting base and including a longitudinally reciprocable rod disposed substantially horizontally and pivotally connected at its outer end to the outer end of the shorter bellcrank arm and means for uniformly protracting and retracting said rod.

4. Mechanism for controllably tilting a foundry ladle comprising an overhead supporting base having means thereon for connection with the ball of a ladle to support the same, a bellcrank lever pivotally mounted upon said base for fulcruming on an axis parallel to the tilting axis of said ladle, said lever having a relatively long ladle connection arm working through an aperture in said base and extending downwardly to the rear upper edge of said ladle when said ladle is disposed in untilted position, said lever having a shorter, power-receiving arm extending upwardly above said supporting base, a link pivoted at its upper end to the outer end of said longer bellcrank arm and pivotally connected at its lower end with the lower portion of said ladle at a point disposed on the opposite side of said ladle respective of the pouring spout thereof and hydraulic power mechanism mounted on said base and including a hydraulic cylinder pivotally supported from said base at its outer end and having' a piston mounted therein, a piston rod having its outer end pivotally connected with said shorter bell crank arm, a selective valve system for introducing fluid under pressure selectively to the outer or the inner end of said cylinder for reaction against either side of said piston and valve controlling elements extending from said base to a point removed therefrom for instantly controlling said valve system.

5. Mechanism for controllably tilting a foundry ladle comprising an overhead supporting base having means thereon for connection with the bail of a ladle to support the same, a bellcrank lever pivoted on said base for fulcruming on a horizontal axis parallel with the axis of tilting of said ladle, said lever having a longer ladle connection arm extending downwardly and outwardly to a point a short distance beyond the rear edge of said ladle and at a point diametrically opposed to the pouring spout of said ladle, said bellcrank lever having a shorter arm disposed at an angle of less than degrees relative to said longer arm, a link pivotally connected at its upper end with the outer end of said longer lever arm and pivotally connected at its lower end with the lower portion of said ladle at the rear thereof, a hydraulic cylinder mounted on said base and extending substantially horizontally with its forward end mounted for swinging action, a hydraulically operated piston reciprocably mounted in said cylinder, a piston rod connected with said piston and having its outer end pivotally connected with the shorter arm of said bellcrank lever and means for selectively introducing fluid under pressure into either end of said cylinder,

6. The structure set forth in claim 5 and means controllable from a point remote from said base for controlling said selective fluid-introduction means.

EDMUND F. SCHULZE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name Date 1,673,832 Lester June 19, 1928 1,749,083 Morris et a]. Mar. 4, 1930 1,783,128 Morgan Nov. 25, 1930 1,866,191 During July 5, 1932 1,875,730 Hively Sept. 6, 1932 

